Giving Grace: Montgomery Co. Veterans Service Organization offers free support to veterans

Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization (VSO) is a local office that offers free services and support to veterans in the community.

VSO recently appointed Andrew Kester as the organization’s new director. Kester is a veteran who came to Fort Campbell in 2008 and retired from the Army in 2010. He said he and his family liked the area and decided to make Clarksville-Montgomery County their home.

Kester said he has done some work with veterans since retiring but wanted to do more.

“I enjoy working with veterans. I want to tell my story of what I did in the military. Now I get to do it full time and I get to work with veterans and I get to help veterans,” Kester said.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the VSO, which was originally called the Ex Service Members Bureau when it was created in 1944. Kester said the county and city decided they needed an organization to help veterans receive their well-deserved government benefits.

“First of all, we want people to know that we are not the VA, we’re not the Veterans Administration, that’s number one,” Kester clarified. “We’re an advocate for the veteran, we’re on their side, we want to help them through this packet of paperwork.”

When it comes to the work of the VSO, Kester said the majority of their efforts are geared toward gaining health and disability benefits for veterans, as well as education benefits for veterans and their families.

The office also works with spouses and dependents to process death claims when a veteran passes away.

The local VSO office is also responsible for a number of veterans events throughout the year. They host a Memorial Day Ceremony to honor and remember veterans, a Flag Day Ceremony for the proper retirement of flags, and help organize one of the largest veterans parades in Tennessee.

The Montgomery County Veterans Service Organization can be found at 350 Pageant Lane, Suite 308 in Veterans Plaza and they are open 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Visit www.mcgtn.org, email srhopwood@mcgtn.net, or call 931-553-5173 for more information.